I just bought a Bronco, a 1986 with the 351w. This is old enough to still be a carb, a Holley 4180. The basic mechanicals are solid, but there is some tune up work that needs to be done. The truck sat for over a year without being started (joy!).

The truck just doesn't want to stay running. The timing is good and I sorted out any vacuum leaks (now a ROCK solid 21hg at idle). Based on the problems I am seeing, I am pretty danged confident that the problem is fuel delivery. Sure, check the fuel filter, volume from the pump, maybe the carb is all gummed up. Basic stuff, so I am going to check the easiest to get to stuff first.

I can't find the fuel filter! The is an on-block mechanical fuel pump. Unless I am crazy, and remember my pre-EFI world wrong, the fuel filter should be between the pump and the carb, right? I spent my post-work and pre-sun down hours tonight trying to find the stupid thing. It doesn't LOOK like anyone has messed with the truck, it's all pretty stock. It is possible a previous owner did remove the filter and just run hose from the pump to the carb.

Can anyone confirm the fuel filter location on a 80-86 Bronco (carb, not efi)?

Crazy. But not that crazy. I actually thought that might have been the case, but I have a factory replacement (supposedly) fuel filter. The replacement is just WAY to big for the inside of the carb. I'll check it out, thanks for the info!

I didn't have enough time to test it very much, but this looked like it was it. There was a copper or brass mesh I removed from the carb. It wasn't pretty. I put the fuel inlet back on the carb without the filter, then I spliced an external filter inline just before the carb.

As soon as I fired up, my cold idle rpm's were almost doubled compared to the pre-filter change out. I was obviously getting MUCH more fuel. Some retuning of the carb, and a 15 minute test drive around town, and I'm feeling like this is in good shape now.